HANOVER, N.H. (Interstat) — Dartmouth will open its women’s NCAA Division I hockey season Friday when it hosts Saint Michael’s at Thompson Arena in Hanover, N.H.

Dartmouth enters with a 0-0 record and will play its first game of the season against a Purple Knights team still seeking its first win. Saint Michael’s is 0-6 and has been outscored in each of its first six contests. Dartmouth, meanwhile, will look to start fresh after its most recent result, a loss at Brown.

Saint Michael’s has leaned on center Grace Bendickson, who is a player to watch in the matchup. Bendickson has recorded at least one shot on goal in each of her last four games and has contributed on both ends of the ice. In the Purple Knights’ most recent game against Stonehill, she registered one shot on goal and two penalty minutes. Earlier against Franklin Pierce, she had one assist and two shots on goal. Across two games at Assumption, Bendickson scored one goal and recorded two shots on goal, showing she can create chances for a Saint Michael’s offense that has struggled to generate consistent scoring.

The Purple Knights’ most recent outing ended in a loss to Stonehill. Grace Bendickson, Anna Jerylo and Brianna Jarvis were among the team’s most productive players in that game. Bendickson had one shot on goal and two penalty minutes, Jerylo added one shot on goal, and Jarvis recorded four shots on goal and four penalty minutes. Saint Michael’s will need more from that group Friday against a Dartmouth defense that is opening its season at home.

Dartmouth’s most recent game came against Brown, when the Big Green fell 7-2. The Big Green will return to the ice with a new season and a home crowd at Thompson Arena. Dartmouth has not played since that contest, while Saint Michael’s has already logged six games and will be looking to find rhythm after a difficult start.

The matchup features two programs at different points in their seasons. Dartmouth is beginning its campaign, while Saint Michael’s is searching for its first victory after a demanding opening stretch. The Purple Knights will remain on the road for the meeting before the teams meet again the following day at Saint Michael’s. Looking ahead, Dartmouth is scheduled to host Holy Cross for two games, then welcome Saint Lawrence and Clarkson. Saint Michael’s is set to visit Harvard and Merrimack before a pair of road games at Long Island.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Dartmouth to defeat Saint Michael’s 1-0.